The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding an urgent probe into the alleged disappearance and diversion of over ₦26.9 billion from the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), warning that it may drag the Federal Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the USPF to court if immediate action is not taken.
The anti-corruption and accountability organisation accused top officials in the communications sector of failing to account for billions of naira meant to expand telecommunications access and digital infrastructure in rural and underserved communities across Nigeria.
The allegations are contained in the 2022 audited report released by the Auditor-General of the Federation on September 9, 2025, which reportedly uncovered multiple financial irregularities, unaccounted expenditures, illegal contract awards, missing records, and payments allegedly made without evidence of work done.
In a strongly worded letter dated May 9, 2026 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on Tinubu to direct the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and the Secretary of the USPF, Yomi Arowosafe, to immediately explain the whereabouts of the funds.
SERAP also urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside anti-corruption agencies, to launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fraud and prosecute anyone found culpable.
According to SERAP, “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing or diverted public funds should be fully recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
The organisation warned that the alleged diversion of the funds poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s digital inclusion agenda and could further worsen inequality, especially in rural communities where millions still lack access to affordable telecommunications and internet services.
SERAP stated that the USPF was specifically created to bridge the digital divide, support infrastructure development, and provide telecommunications access to neglected communities, stressing that any diversion of the funds represents a betrayal of public trust and national development goals.
The organisation noted that poor internet access continues to limit citizens’ rights to freedom of expression, education, healthcare access, financial inclusion, and participation in governance, adding that corruption in the management of the fund could deepen social and economic exclusion nationwide.
Among the most explosive revelations cited from the Auditor-General’s report was the alleged failure of the USPF to disclose the existence of a domiciliary dollar account while also denying the Auditor-General access to key financial records.
The report further alleged that the USPF failed to remit more than ₦13.8 billion in operating surplus between 2016 and 2019, raising fears that the funds may have been diverted.
Another controversial finding involved over ₦11.7 million allegedly spent on international trainings in October 2020 without invitation letters, invoices, receipts, or certificates of participation to support the claims.
The Auditor-General also reportedly flagged over ₦2.8 billion in contracts allegedly awarded without due procurement process or approval documentation, warning that the irregularities may have resulted in massive loss of public funds.
In another shocking allegation, ₦8 million was allegedly paid to a non-existent fund manager, despite records indicating that no such official was employed at the time the payment was made.
Further concerns were raised over more than ₦6.4 billion reportedly spent on connectivity and access projects that were not captured in the approved 2020 budget and allegedly lacked evidence of lawful approval.
The report additionally questioned over ₦2.8 billion spent between January and May 2021 without clear purpose or supporting documents, while also flagging failures to remit over ₦300 million in stamp duties and more than ₦144 million in withholding taxes.
Payments exceeding ₦391 million made to consultants without evidence of executed work were also highlighted among the alleged financial infractions.
SERAP maintained that transparency and accountability in the management of the USPF are essential to national development and democratic governance, insisting that failure to act decisively would further erode public confidence in government institutions.
The organisation warned that if the Federal Government fails to respond within seven days, it would initiate legal proceedings in the public interest to compel compliance and accountability.